The identity of Petr Yan`s next opponent in the UFC was unexpected.
Petr Yan, a former bantamweight champion ranked #2, has faced elite competitors in the 135-pound division, including Jose Aldo, Aljamain Sterling (twice), and the headliners of UFC 316, Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley.
Despite securing consecutive victories against Song Yadong and Deiveson Figueiredo, Yan did not receive the next title shot. The Russian fighter must compete again to earn another chance at the championship.
Instead of being matched with a higher-ranked contender, reports indicate the UFC has scheduled Yan to face an opponent ranked lower in the division.
Petr Yan Reportedly Set to Fight Marcus McGhee at UFC Abu Dhabi
According to a report by Cageside Press, Yan is set to fight the #13-ranked contender Marcus McGhee at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26th.
McGhee, aged 35, is a teammate of Sean O’Malley, training at The MMA Lab in Phoenix, Arizona. With a professional record of 10-1, McGhee won his first four UFC bouts, earning three performance bonuses.
Following a decision victory over Jonathan Martinez at UFC 309, the knockout specialist will face a significant step up in competition against the former champion, Yan.
Sean O’Malley previously described McGhee as a `beast` when McGhee made his UFC debut on short notice in 2023.
UFC Fans React with Confusion to Bantamweight Booking
It is uncommon for a rising prospect ranked significantly lower to get an opportunity against a highly-ranked former champion.
UFC fans expressed confusion regarding the pairing of #2-ranked Yan with #13 McGhee, particularly since Yan is close to title contention and McGhee has no victories against ranked opponents.
One fan commented on `X`, stating, “This fight makes no sense whatsoever.”
Another fan argued, “Yan recently defeated Deiveson Figueiredo, who was undefeated in the bantamweight division then. He shouldn`t be fighting someone ranked so much lower. While staying active is understandable, a rematch with Cory Sandhagen would have been more logical, with the winner deserving a title shot.”
A third fan wrote, “I don’t understand the matchmaking at all, unless Yan simply wanted to stay active. I predict a finish for Yan.”
Yet another fan called it “a disastrous booking,” suggesting, “this should have been Yan vs Umar Nurmagomedov.”
Petr Yan has faced similar situations before. In 2022, while ranked #1, Yan fought #11-ranked Sean O’Malley at UFC 280, even though O’Malley had not previously defeated any ranked opponents.
The pairing drew significant criticism for O’Malley and the UFC matchmakers, but it ultimately benefited O’Malley, who secured an exciting but controversial split decision victory.
